Barcelona star Raphinha has on Saturday evening provided an insight into the circumstances which culminated in him being shown a red card whilst on international duty this weekend.
Frontman Raphinha was for his part in from the off earlier today, as Brazil locked horns with Japan in a friendly clash.
When all was said and done on a frustrating day all told for the five-time world champions, they were condemned to the wrong side of a 3-2 result.
The aforementioned Raphinha was hooked from proceedings by Carlo Ancelotti during the 2nd-half, but the former Leeds United man nevertheless managed to get himself sent off.
After a heated exchange with the team of officials in the game’s closing moments, Raphinha was sent back to the dressing room by referee Chuan Hui Jansen Foo.
Speaking to the media following the full-time whistle, the 29-year-old was therefore asked for his version of events. And Raphinha made use of the opportunity to highlight several ‘mistakes’ made by the man in charge:
“I want to apologise for my sending-off, but it’s hard to keep your cool after seeing so many mistakes by the referee.
“I tried to talk to him several times, but there was no way. He got things wrong at several points in the match: Japan’s first goal came after a foul he didn’t call; he also failed to award a penalty that I thought I was fouled for, and there was a very clear foul on João for the third goal.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
